Forgot Hearing Protection? No Problem! Oregon Air Show Keeps Ears Safe with Charity Partner, Songs for Sound

    HILLSBORO, OR, September 26, 2018 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Songs for Sound, a Nashville- based charity that strives to protect and restore hearing for the 360 million people worldwide suffering from hearing loss, is teaming up with the Oregon Air Show to offer FREE hearing protection and FREE hearing screenings Sept. 28-30th.

The Hear the Music Project is a charity mission and exhibit designed to not only provide free hearing screenings, but to help every person navigate hearing healthcare. Cochlear Americas, the global leader in implantable hearing solutions is the Presenting Sponsor for the Hear the Music Project. Once someone does not pass a hearing test via iPad kiosks offering Otohub screening technology, they receive packets of electronic information along with folders tailored to their hearing level and yes, free hearing protection. Phonak, Otohub and Sertoma are supporting sponsors of the charity mission.

People often ask if air shows are too loud for small children. The truth is, air shows pose a risk for everybody. Maximum decibel (dB) levels for air show spectators measure between 100-115 dB. Prolonged exposure to any sound over 85 dB can damage the sensitive structures of the inner ear and any more than 15 minutes at 115 dB is dangerous (effects are heightened in children). The problem is, most people underestimate the threat of loud noise. For reference, here are the average dB levels and recommended exposure for some familiar sounds:

30 dB Whisper No limit
60 dB Normal conversation No limit
90 dB City traffic, lawn mower 8 hr. per day max.
100 dB Chainsaw, motorcycle 2 hr. per day max.
115 dB Loud concert, car horn 15 min. per day max.
140 dB Firearm, jet engine Hearing protection required

The Oregon Air Show staff is helping to protect attendees so they can enjoy this experience for a lifetime. Excessive noise exposure is the most common cause of hearing loss and tinnitus (constant ringing in the ear) and it is preventable. Only 1 in 10 polled at the Hear the Music experience report bringing hearing protection to the air show. That is risky practice.

"Hearing loss is deeply personal for me," said Songs for Sound founder Jaime Vernon, whose 10-year-old daughter, Lexi, received bilateral cochlear implants at 18 months old. "Lexi's speech and hearing development were nearly derailed by an initial 'she's fine, let's wait' reaction. But the moment my baby went from total silence to hearing a whisper- then music- our lives were both sent in a beautiful new direction."

"Cochlear is proud to support Songs for Sound's efforts that provide access to free hearing screenings, hearing health and hearing treatment information to thousands across the United States," said Patricia Trautwein, audiologist and vice president of marketing and product management for Cochlear Americas. "It's especially gratifying to have a role in bringing this information and access to Americans who are so commonly affected by hearing loss."

The #HEARtheMUSIC Project runs entirely on sponsorships and donations. To GIVE or VOLUNTEER: click HERE.

About Songs for Sound
Songs for Sound is a Nashville based 501c3 charity that strives to protect and restore hearing, using music as inspiration and outreach, to improve the lives of the 360 million people suffering from hearing loss. The #HEARtheMUSIC Project Tour aims to reach 50,000 ears across the nation by 2020.

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